After three days, the lives of ordinary civilians continued as usual. Despite recent unusual occurrences, life had to go on.
In Empress Borough, in an inconspicuous house, the Beyonder gathering organized by Mr. A proceeded as scheduled.
Maric and Sharron had changed their clothes and accompanied Viscount Glaint, who wore an iron-black mask, into the hall. They chose seats at random and settled down.
Before the gathering officially began, Maric wrote down his needs for the attendants. He also prayed to the goddess, hoping for a favorable response later.
Sharron, as usual, exuded her typical languidness. In a rare instance, she had covered herself with a hood, shrouding her face in shadows. Her thoughts were preoccupied with the recent events, particularly the strange phenomenon in the sky where a star had shone unusually brightly.
The star's brilliance was not a natural occurrence; it felt like a cosmic signal, an omen of something significant. Sharron couldn't shake the feeling that this incident was connected to 'The King of Nothing,' but she had no concrete proof.
She pondered her thoughts with a whirl of curiosity and caution. The idea that a celestial event could be linked to a mysterious entity like 'The King of Nothing' was both fascinating and unsettling. As a Beyonder, Sharron had learned to trust her instincts, but this time, the lack of evidence left her feeling uneasy.
I shouldn't pry into the mysteries of the gods... Sharron reminded herself. Delving into such profound secrets was dangerous, often leading to more questions than answers, and potentially attracting unwanted attention.
Her mind drifted back to the gathering, the room filled with an assortment of individuals, each with their own agendas and secrets. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and the undercurrent of unspoken tensions. Sharron glanced around, noting the familiar faces and the occasional new ones, wondering what had brought them here this time.
At that moment, Mr. A, who was seated on a single sofa and wore an exaggerated hood, spoke hoarsely, breaking the silence. "I have a mission. Help me find people who believe in the so-called 'The King of Nothing.'"
Ah? Maric and Sharron instantly snapped back to their senses.
The mention of 'The King of Nothing' sent a shiver down Sharron's spine. It was not just a name; it was a concept laden with mystery and foreboding. Her mind raced, trying to connect the dots. Why was Mr. A interested in this enigmatic figure now? What did he know that she didn't?
Sharron's thoughts spiraled. The recent celestial event, Mr. A's sudden interest in 'The King of Nothing,' and her own nagging suspicions all seemed interconnected. She couldn't ignore the feeling that something significant was unfolding, something that could alter the course of their world.
As the gathering continued, Sharron remained lost in her thoughts. She had to tread carefully. Information was power, but it was also a dangerous commodity in the world of Beyonders. The more she knew, the more she risked attracting attention from forces beyond her control.
"The King of Nothing?" The Beyonders at Mr. A's gathering whispered amongst themselves, pondering the mysterious phrase. Many discussed with their companions, trying to recall if they had ever encountered someone with such beliefs.
"When did such a cult emerge?" one attendee asked quietly.
Mr. A signaled to the attendant beside him, who then lifted a blackboard displaying several lines written in the Loen language:
"Elder of the Ancient One;
Sovereign of Stars;
The Lord of Everything;
The King of Nothing."
As the attendees studied the blackboard, Mr. A's gravelly voice broke through the murmurs. "Do not use Hermes to interpret these words. Avoid Jotun, Elvish, Dragonese, and ancient Hermes as well. Refrain from even writing the corresponding translations; the consequences could be dire.
"Assist me in locating believers of The King of Nothing. They might also follow The Lord of Everything or Sovereign of Stars. Any clue you provide will be rewarded handsomely, far beyond your expectations!"
"This description... It sounds like a truly powerful entity. I've only seen such terms in ancient texts about the seven gods!" one member exclaimed, eyes wide with wonder.
His companion shook his head, skeptical. "Many cults describe their deities in similarly grandiose ways."
"Is it really a cult?" Nearby members exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued.
"Likely. Typically, when we summon a being from the spirit world, we describe it in three lines, often mentioning 'the blessed one of someone' or 'that who belongs to.' It wouldn't be formatted like this!" explained a knowledgeable member, his tone confident.
As the discussion grew more animated, Maric felt a jolt of realization. Isn't that the honorific name of The King of Nothing? Even though it's described in the Loen language, I'm certain of it! Why is Mr. A looking for The King of Nothing's believers? Is the Aurora Order involved? His mind swirled with questions and concerns.
He recalled the rumors about the enigmatic Aurora Order and their mysterious pursuits. Could this be an attempt to learn more about The King of Nothing, or was it part of a larger scheme? The gravity of the situation weighed on him, but he knew he had to remain calm. Any sign of recognition could endanger him.
Sharron, sitting beside him, appeared just as startled, her usual stoic expression betraying a flicker of surprise. She quickly masked it, glancing at Maroc, who remained composed, her face hidden by her hood.
Maric took a deep breath to steady herself. He needed to handle this carefully. The stakes were too high for any mistakes. He joined the conversation, contributing her thoughts to blend in.
"What if this 'King of Nothing' is a new entity rising to power?" he suggested, his tone thoughtful.
"Possible," another member agreed. "These descriptions do suggest something ancient and powerful. Perhaps it's an old god trying to regain influence."
Sharron nodded, appearing to contemplate the idea. Internally, her thoughts were still racing. If Mr. A was indeed targeting The King of Nothing's followers, the situation was more dangerous than she had realized. She needed to stay alert and gather information without revealing her connection to The King of Nothing.
The gathering continued, filled with speculation and uncertainty. Each member shared their theories, creating a web of ideas. Sharron listened carefully, noting every piece of information. She had to be prepared for whatever came next. The world of Beyonders was full of dangers, and only the vigilant and cunning would survive.
As the meeting went on, Maric and Sharron maintained their composure, participating just enough to remain inconspicuous. their mind, however, remained focused on the honorific names and their implications.
In a rather suspicious place, the headquarters of the Rose School of Thought, an angel named Suah slowly opened his eyes, awakening from a long slumber. The dimly lit chamber, filled with the scent of incense and the glow of flickering candles, suddenly felt charged with an intense, otherworldly energy. The members of the school, clad in their customary crimson robes adorned with black rose emblems, stood around in a semicircle, their faces a mix of awe and trepidation.
As Suah's eyes, deep and filled with ancient wisdom, swept over the gathered cultists, silence fell upon the room. Barancca, the high priestess and leader of the congregation, stepped forward with a reverent bow, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke.
"Great Suah, you have graced us with your awakening," she intoned, her eyes lowered in respect.
The other members, sensing the gravity of the moment, dropped to their knees, heads bowed. Whispers of "Glory to Suah" and "The Angel has returned" filled the air, their voices hushed with reverence.
Suah's gaze was penetrating as if he were reading the very souls of those before him. His presence was overwhelming, a palpable force that seemed to press down on everyone in the room. Finally, he spoke, his voice a resonant and commanding echo that filled the chamber.
"Rise, my faithful," Suah commanded. The members slowly stood, their eyes fixed on him, awaiting his words with bated breath.
Suah's voice took on a prophetic tone, each word carrying the weight of divine revelation. "I have received a vision, a revelation of utmost importance. We must seek out the followers of 'The King of Nothing'."
Murmurs rippled through the group, confusion and curiosity evident in their expressions. Amara, ever the devoted leader, stepped closer, her face etched with concern and determination.
"The King of Nothing, Suah? What is the nature of this entity, and why must we find its followers?" she asked, her tone respectful yet filled with an urgent need to understand.
Suah raised a hand, silencing the whispers. "This entity, also known as The Lord of Everything and the Sovereign of Stars, holds a power that could shift the balance of the cosmos. We must locate its believers, for they hold the key to unlocking and understanding this power."
A younger initiate, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and excitement, turned to an elder beside him. "What does this mean for us? Are we to confront these followers or learn from them?"
The elder, his face a mask of solemnity, replied, "We must tread carefully. This revelation suggests a power beyond our current understanding. We must find these followers and determine their intentions, but we must also be prepared for any outcome."
As the members absorbed this information, Suah continued, "Do not attempt to use the ancient languages—Hermes, Jotun, Elvish, Dragonese—to speak or write of this entity. The consequences could be catastrophic. Seek out these believers discreetly and inform me of any clues you uncover. The rewards for success will be beyond your wildest imaginings."
The room buzzed with renewed purpose and determination. The members of the Rose School of Thought understood that their mission had just taken a profound turn. They were now on a quest to uncover the secrets of The King of Nothing, a task that could bring them unparalleled power or unimaginable peril.